Abstract
This paper addresses the Afro-centric Social Work paradigm, giving the definition and meaning of "Afro-centricity" and further describing the values and concepts of Afro-centricity as a social science paradigm on which social work practice can be built. The article describes the origins and principles of the Afro-centric or African-centered paradigm, the relationship of Afro-centricity to social problems, and explains the reasons for the emergence of an Afro-centric social science perspective.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Afro-centricity - Definition and Meaning
Afro-centricity as an Emerging Paradigm in Social Work Practice
Effects on Male and Female Groups
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Peoples of African origin have a unique place within a multicultural society. The history of African Americans in the United States differs from those who came to US as immigrants. Despite African Americans' social and economic progress, they continue to lag behind White America in the areas of income, education, and health (McKinnon, 2003). While several models of social work practice that can assist colored people have emerged, the concept "Afro-centricity" better describes the cultural values of people of African descent and deployed for the social work practice. Social workers are encouraged to follow the Afro-centric paradigm because of its emphasis on eliminating oppression of the colored people."

Tags:value, system, sensitive, approach, social, science, traditional, culture, behavior

Abstract
This paper focuses on the issue of African-American women and feminism, from the 1960s to the present, while focusing on the views and opinions of various authors such as Patricia Hill Collins. Collins, a powerful voice in matters of black feminist epistemology, contends that because black women have access to both the Afro-centric and feminist standpoints, then, for a full analysis, both traditions should be represented through an "alternative epistemology." Collins also states that the key dimension of an Afro-centric feminist epistemology is the black woman's centrality in families and community organizations.
The writer of this paper discusses the issues that pertained to many African-American women in the 1960s and 1970s, who felt that the objectives and practices of feminism pertained mainly to white women. In the early 1970s, black feminists challenged this situation, questioning the assumption that white feminists spoke for all women and demanded -and eventually were given- women's studies programs on the experiences, culture and literature of black women. At that time, the activist black women who made the demands were denounced for espousing black nationalism, nonetheless, appropriate courses on "women of color" were eventually added to the women's studies' curriculum, which are detailed in this paper. This paper examines the progress and empowerment of African-American women over the years who are now able to lead in ways they had never thought possible, prior to 1960.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Main Body of the Paper: Literature Review
Epistemology
Conclusion
References
References Not Included in the Body of the Paper

From the Paper
"In her book, Collins suggests that the Black feminist thought processes speaks to "the importance that knowledge plays in empowering oppressed people." Moreover, Black feminist thought offers a "fundamental paradigmatic shift in how we think about oppression," though the process of reconceptualizing "the social relations of domination and resistance." Black feminist thought also empowers "subordinate groups" by infusing them with "new knowledge" that helps them define the reality of their own existence. What is impressive about Collins - besides the fact that clearly she's brilliant, alert to what real Black women are doing and feeling - is that she is fair-minded when it comes to her scholarship, and generally eschews long and emotional harangues about the white culture, and about white feminist epistemology that has in the past stood in the way of African-American feminists reaching out to the world with their vision."

Tags:women, racism, rights, feminism, education, spirituality, literature, patricia, hill, collins

Abstract
This religious study defines the spiritual and religious communities and cultural policies that define Rastafarian nationalism under British colonial policy. The paper shows how with the iconic cultural leadership of King Haile Selassi I and Leonard Howell, the roots of a political and religious foundation for nationalism was formed for the working poor in Jamaica.

Tags:race, issues, war

Abstract
This paper attempts to explain how Delta Airlines has made a successful transition from being another American-based carrier focused purely on efficiency to one concentrating on customer satisfaction and customer retention. The paper looks at how Delta Airlines has accomplished this through a combination of process-based, technologically-based and strategy-based initiatives that has led to their achieving customer centricity in their organizations. Suggestions are provided for how Delta Airlines can become more customer-centric and the paper also explains how lasting change can be made within Delta's ongoing marketing strategies through strong leadership.

Outline:
Introduction
Assessing Delta Airlines Customer Centricity
Change for Greater Customer Centricity at Delta Airlines
Driving Change and Leadership in Customer Centricity

From the Paper
"Of all domestic air carriers in the U.S., Delta Airlines continues to lead competitors in the areas of integrating Web-based and mobile technologies to give its customers an opportunity to interact with the company how they choose to. Delta's use of mobile-based check-ins, increasing reliance on their website for processing upgrades, seating assignments and managing special dietary needs illustrate how the company is successfully using Web-based, mobile-based and social networking applications to be more customer centric than competitors. The collection of technologies known as Web 2.0 are forming the foundation of social networking applications that seek to create more collaborative relationships with customers (Bernoff, Li, 2008). Appendix A of this document provides an overview of social networking applications."

Tags:satisfaction, retention, air, carriers

Abstract
This paper is an overview of Afro-American history, beginning with slavery in the 1700s. The author looks at how slavery affected the nuclear family, both economically and psychologically, and how this pattern continues to be prevalent in today's Afro-American families. Some of the issues discussed include, the owner-slave relationship, marriages between slaves and how slavery affected children and their identity. The paper also looks at the post-Emancipation period and the hardships that the freed slaves continued to encounter including poverty, unemployment and racial discrimination. According to the author, migration from the South to the North was one of the most significant changes that occurred as a result of Emancipation. The Afro-American families' strong bond, which may not be categorized as a
'traditional' but 'extended' family can be traced back to the period of slavery and in this author's opinion, shows the strengths of the community as a whole.

From the Paper
"Roberson reported that some of the migrating families were quite large, with six or seven children. It could be very difficult to find housing to old a family of that size, even with extensive family and community support. So often, these parents would have to make hard decisions to break the family apart, at least temporarily. Some of the children would be taken in by aunts and uncles, but given that the extended family was so strong, connected and well bonded together, this wasn't as wrenching as it might have been. The extended family continued to watch out for and support the new arrivals until they had work and a place to stay. (Roberson, accessed 2002)"

Tags:slavery, emancipation, bonds, owners, marriage, matriarchial, community, harsh, life, nuclear, farmers, discrimination, racial, migration, rural, urban, stable

Abstract
This paper compares and contrasts the African American entertainment styles of minstrelsy and gangsta rap. The essay contains a lengthy discussion of the differences and similarities in these styles of music. Finally, it presents a discussion that supports the author's thesis that gangsta rap is the new minstrelsy.

From the Paper
"The development of African American music closely parallels the history of African Americans. African American history is rich and begins with the first slave capture in the 16th century. Decades of slavery followed, until the signing of the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. Following the proclamation, African Americans were slowly integrated into American society as free people."
In the 21st century, exemplary African Americans like Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, and Jesse Jackson slowly moved the African American population to greater equality with white Americans. The 21st century saw the end of segregation in schools and public places, the rise of black power, and the continued development of a rich and unique African American culture. "

Tags:music, rap, gangster, African, American, culture, segregation, racist

Abstract
This paper is written about C. H. Gissendanner. He, primarily, opines that the gender separatism and the distinction between competitive sport and the ideal of femininity as espoused by the Women's Division of the National Amateur Athletic Federation in 1923 did not hold ground with the African-American communities.

Abstract
Introduction to Platonic thought on purposes and nature of education, models of induction, the student helped towards the values allowing success within the society; contrast with origins and aims of the 'black focused' school that is actually to be an Afro-Caribbean-focused school though 60% of persons from the community complete high school, apparently not discouraged by a non-'African' curriculum. Student raises several other conceptual criticisms.

From the Paper
Inquiries Into Schooling 1^st Short Assignment In the article, "A Schooled Culture," Matt Hern discusses the educational system and debate on what it means to be educated versus uneducated. (2003) Education implies "something that people do to others for their own good, moulding and shaping them, and trying to make them learn what they think they ought to know." (2003 110) The last is interesting to examine in relation to Plato whose Republic conveys that those responsible for educating the young are to make them good citizens, sharing knowledge about `the good' with the upcoming generation. (2001 211-212). Both

Tags:induction, plato, afro centric school

Abstract
This paper explains that merengue, a combination of African and European musical influences that is uniquely Caribbean, is a distinctive, enduring musical form associated with the national identity of the Dominican Republic and the dictatorship of Trujillo, who mandated that it be played all the time. The author points out that, traditionally, merengue music was played with four primary instruments, each of which had their part to play within a basic 2/4 signature and a series of set periods that took the merengue in and out of call-and-response patterns. The paper relates that the merengue has changed over the years from a proletarian means of expression to an international medium, more Euro-centric in origin than African drumming or reggae, although it still represents an Afro-Caribbean synthesis of European forms.

From the Paper
"One of the key representational artists to emerge for merengue during the 1960s was Johnny Ventura. Ventura brought outside influences to a new kind of merengue that was classically Dominican in flavor (and more direct than big-band salon merengue), but also brought some of the elements of disco into the equation. Ventura's brand of merengue utilized traditional form and instruments such as the guitar and guira, added an expanded horn section, and kept the rhythm steady with a bass drum. Ventura's lyrics were often full of social and political commentary, which brought new life to the standardized lyrics perpetuated under the restrictive dictatorship. Ventura also took some cues from the flash and glamour of soul and Motown singers from the United States, incorporating onstage dance-moves and stylish outfits. He is seen to have started what came to be the modern tradition of merengue groups, along with fellow innovator."

Tags:ventura, dance, trujillo, afro-caribbean, call-and-response

Abstract
This paper explains that African culture retention is noticeable in many aspects of the American lifestyle. The author points out that the African heritage for U.S. blacks survived the vicious system of slavery, despite attempts to remove remnants of African culture from the slaves and to instill a European/white culture so that they could be more accepting of their situation. The paper relates that some distorted cultural practices such as violence, sometimes labeled as "African", are not even remotely related to any kind of link with the cultural diversity of the African continent. The author concludes that the issue of African cultural retention and the destruction of the African-American society is so intertwined that it is sometimes hard to examine them separately.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Tenets of African Culture In the United States
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The retention component has also been used to damage the influence of African culture; for example acts of violence or family structure, and or social interactions have sometimes been linked to the African culture, or the travesty of slavery, or even more so, the cultural practices in Africa concerning relationships, marriage, and relationships. Liberating African American cultural identity will show that the African influence or content of this identity, although not in a pure form, offers a significant amount of positive influences."

Tags:slavery, afro-centricity, watermelon, violence, music